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Family living in fear after masked gang attack father and threaten young son

The brother of a man who was left with a broken back during a robbery at his home today said he could have been killed.

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Titford Road

A gang of masked robbers held a knife to a six-year-old boy's throat before attacking his father with a blade and hammer.

Four people forced their way into a home in Titford Road, Oldbury, and attacked a 71-year-old, hitting him over the head with a hammer, stabbing and slashing him across the head and neck.

The intruders threatened to kill the boy unless the victims handed over cash and jewellery, with the robbers fleeing with an iPhone, £700 cash and a number of golden rings and bracelets.

The victim’s 69-year-old brother who lives nearby told how he saw a group of people walk past his window at around 4pm on Sunday and around 10 minutes later his brother’s wife rushed round and knocked on his window.

He said: "I saw people walking past but I didn't know what they did.

"His wife came and knocked on my window. In his house there was blood everywhere, he was on the floor, he nearly died, they tried to kill him. It's very scary.

"He's in hospital and he's got stitches in his chin and the back of his head.

"They hurt his wife too, he's a nice person, he's never had trouble with anybody. Everybody is frightened because it's never happened before."

Police have confirmed that the man remains in hospital but 'his condition is said to be improving'.

The jewellery that was stolen

A neighbour said police were at the scene for around two days after the incident.

The woman, who did not wish to be named, said: "There wee five police cars outside on Sunday, then police were knocking on doors asking us for information.

"A police van stayed outside for two days."

Detective Inspector Jacqui Nicholson from West Midlands Police CID, said: “This is a shocking attack in a family home, it’s despicable that the offenders have stooped so low as to threaten a schoolboy with a knife.

"We understand the victim was followed home from a shop in Langley High Street by offenders who saw he was carrying a large amount of cash."

After the attack West Midlands Police arrested seven people on suspicion of attempted murder.

Three men aged 35, 36 and 38, as well as a 40-year-old woman, who were arrested at an address on Hollywell Street in Bilston, have all been bailed but will return for further questioning next month.

Meanwhile three other men, aged 37, 40 and 42, who were arrested at an address in Cottage Walk, West Bromwich, have been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

The jewellery stolen includes two golden sovereign rings, one with a Mercedes three-pointed star logo, a large gold bracelet, gold earrings with a Chinese lantern design, a gold chain with a cross and a gold Rado watch.

A property on Hollywell Street, in Hurst Hill, has been searched as part of the investigation and officers recovered a dark blue Vauxhall Agila Expression which is believed to have been used by the offenders as they made their escape.

Det Insp Nicholson said: “We’re appealing for information on who was involved, the offenders do not deserve protection and I would urge anyone with information to contact us in confidence.

"We don’t need callers’ names, we just want to know who’s committed this awful crime.

“I’d also appeal for anyone who saw the offenders’ car in Titford Road or driving away from the location just after 4pm on Sunday to get in touch. They could have important information to help our enquiries."

Anyone with information can call West Midlands Police on 101 quoting log 1629 from February 10.

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